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Why did Shakespeare write "Merchant of Venice"?

Shakespeare wrote this play as an examination of greed vs. mercy and compassion. It also allowed him to combine two old folk tales into one comedy. The first tale concerned a greed creditor who was intent on getting everything owed to him. The second tale revolved around a young man who wanted to marry his love but had to properly choose between three chests before he could gain the hand of his lover. The creditor was turned into Shylock, a greedy Jew, who was a rather stock character of literature at the time Shakespeare was writing. The person who owes money is Antonio, the man who wants to marry is Bassanio and his lover is Portia. Although this play has been considered anti-Semintic because of the portrayal of Shylock, Shakespeare was probably trying harder to examine how greed can have no place with mercy or compassion. We must remember that Shakespeare was rather young when he wrote this play so their are unresolved issues left over at the end. However, good does conquer evil and that would have been a message a young Shakespeare wanted to convey to his audience.

He wrote it to show us that even by putting aside the greed of old shylock and the ignorance of forth coming succuess, this play is written to show us the uncontrable love and effection he has for his image of the perfect women, PORTIA

In reply to #2:

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